Torch Red: Color Me Torn

This book inspired me because it helped understand how to choose my friends and how to deal with teenage life. For example, how to grow up. This book showed our Habit of Mind metacognition because it shows you how to think about your life.

Book three in Melody Carlson's TrueColors series stresses the cultural pressures and potency of peer influence to engage in sexual activity without a second (or initial) thought. Teens will find helpful and pertinent information and encouragement as they read about the pitfalls of succumbing to the lie that "everyone is doing it." Carlson once again vividly portrays and highlights her protagonist's (Zoë's) emotional journey as this high school teen battles against her conscience while fending off the emotional and physical pulls to go all the way with new boyfriend Justin. Zoë is certain that she is the last virgin in her high school, and it doesn't help when a transfer student, Shawna Frye, arrives with her own sexual history that she seems intent on continuing at Zoë's school. After Zoë's best friend, Emily, confides that she has become sexually active with her boyfriend Todd, Zoë retreats further and attempts to earnestly figure out a way to define right and wrong regarding sexual behavior. With a school play opening up, rehearsals take Zoë's time and attention, as does Justin and his ever-escalating demand for more physical contact. As is often the case, rumors and accusations fly steady and strong at Zoë's school after she discovers the new girl, Shawna, making out with Todd. Zoë tells Emily the truth, only to be verbally thrashed. More confusion for Zoë on the moral code issue springs forth. To the rescue is another student, Nate Stein, a Christian who helps Zoë sort out her social and spiritual happenings from a Godward perspective. When push comes to shove, Zoë is forced to make the choice every teen must confront. Will she or won't she give in and join the majority (or so Zoë believes) of her classmates by becoming sexually active? Carlson's descriptions of rainbow parties, underage drinking, and especially her take on current sexual habits is right on the mark. Readers will be challenged to see further than their next "good feeling" and be more prepared to stand for personal integrity after finishing this text. Highly recommended. --- Reviewed by Michele Howe

My book is called Torch Red. It is about a girl named Zoe, and wants to have sex. She thinks her life is pathetic because she hasn't had sex yet. When a new girl Shawna Frye comes to her school Zoe shows her around. They are both in a play together. Shawna and Zoe's crushes are acting in the play also. Something happens between Zoe and this guy Justin, but to find out what you need to read the book. I think Zoe and Justin are a good couple but Justin shouldn't have done what he did. Justin should not get drunk or do things for Zoe without telling her. Then when they broke up Justin shouldn't have gone out with one of Zoe's friends. Justin can be sweet but he can also be a jerk. Zoe cared for Justin a lot, but she had to let him go.

My book is called Torch Red. It is about a girl named Zoe, and wants to have sex. She thinks her life is pathetic because she hasn't had sex yet. When a new girl Shawna Frye comes to her school Zoe shows her around. They are both in a play together. Shawna and Zoe's crushes are acting in the play also. Something happens between Zoe and this guy Justin, but to find out what you need to read the book. I think Zoe and Justin are a good couple but Justin shouldn't have done what he did.Justin should not get drunk or do things for Zoe without telling her.Then when they broke up Justin shouldn't have gone out with one of Zoe's friends.Justin can be sweet but he can also be a jerk.Zoe cared for Justin a lot, but she had to let him go.

This book is about a teen group of girls going to school everyday, going out with guys and having fun with friends. This book is a lot about girls or friends fighting over guys. Another part of the story talks about how a girl named Shawna helps out a homeless person. The book deals with a lot of teen issues like sex, drinking and peer pressure. The things that I liked about the book was how they put Shawna in situations and then showed how she got through them or worked them out. A few parts of the book that I didn't like was when she was at the soup kitchen and told some of the things that she was doing in there. If I would compare this book to a series or another book I would choose either the Degree's of Betrayal or the Degree's of Guilt. I think that almost all girls would like this book because this deals with real life situations and it also deals with a teen's life I don't know if many boys would like theses stories or not.